Get Your Degree!

Get information on programs from our featured schools.

What is Viticulture and Oenology?

Viticulture and Oenology is a field of study combining business, science, and production focused on grapes and wine making.  As a discipline of horticulture, viticulture concentrates on all the related activities that happen in a vineyard.

Studying viticulture will expose students to a variety of disciplines including: crop yield, disease management, pest control, irrigation, fertilization, fruit development, canopy management, harvesting, pruning, varietal identification, clonal selection, growth cycle, soil types, diurnal temperature variation, and climate.  On the other hand enology, or Oenology, is defined as the study of wine and wine making.

More and more accredited colleges and universities have added Viticulture and Oenology degree programs blending the two adjacent disciplines offering a variety of programs such as: production techniques, pest mitigation, irrigation management, crop production systems, agricultural productivity, bioremediation, pathogens, production, packaging, soil degradation, crop production modeling, industrial agriculture, global demand, agroclimatology, agricultural economics, rural sociology, genetic engineering, molecular diagnostics, and microorganisms.

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Viticulture and Oenology Degree

Cornell University (Ithaca, NY) is a recognized public university providing education with practical benefits and contributions to the state. Cornell applies an interdisciplinary curriculum to its active research program. The university’s academic programs are highly reviewed. Some of its popular programs are in social science, life sciences, humanities, sustainability, and international programs. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences offers Viticulture and Enology as an undergraduate major. The program provides biology and chemistry instructions as well as classes focused on business, plant science, food science and others. Undergraduates are required to complete a capstone project and take an internship course. 

Acceptance Rate

10.85

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, CA) is one of two polytechnics in the California State University system. The school offers a wide range of bachelor’s and master's degree programs. Most Cal Poly programs are focused on technical and applied science courses. The school fosters a combination of technical and professional curriculums with the arts and humanities. The university integrates wine grape growing in the vineyard, wine making in the winery, and wine selling in the marketplace in its academic curriculum. The wine and viticulture program at Cal Poly is the largest of its kind in the United States. The university also provides abundant internship and research opportunities to its students, as well as international field trips. 

Acceptance Rate

28.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

21:1

University of California-Davis (Davis, CA) houses nationally ranked academic programs across a wide variety of disciplines. The university is particularly known for its agricultural and environmental programs and it is dubbed to be a “farming school”. UC-Davis has four undergraduate colleges and a graduate school. The viticulture and enology major at UC Davis offers a wide range of educational and professional opportunities for its students. Undergraduates are equipped to take different roles across the wine industry. Students can also pursue graduate education on food science, horticulture or agricultural and environmental chemistry. 

Acceptance Rate

38.87

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

Texas A & M University (College Station, TX) is a public research university that focuses on agriculture, environmental and marine sciences, and alike. The university has a long list of undergraduate programs and over 130 graduate programs. The university awards an Enology Certificate under the Department of Horticulture. The program requires 15 hours of concentrated study that discusses areas of viticulture, pre- and post-fermentation wine making processes, wine etiquette, and sensory evaluation. 

Acceptance Rate

57.79

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI) is a public research university and served as a model for future land grant schools in the United States. MSU has expanded from being an agricultural college and now offers a wide range of academic programs. It is also offering top notch graduate programs. The Institute of Applied Technology awards a certificate and associate degree in Viticulture. This program provides students with a background in plant science along with specific expertise and skills essential in the industry. Students are provided with coursework, field experiences and an internship. Interested students can also pursue a bachelor’s degree. 

Acceptance Rate

71.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

California State University-Fresno (Fresno, CA) is a public university that awards bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.  It also grants certificates and teaching credentials. The university has an on-campus raisin and wine grape vineyards, and a commercial winery. Student-made wines from the university are award winning. Viticulture and Enology is an undergraduate program that offers coursework, practical experience, and internships for interested students. Undergraduates are prepared to assume a variety of roles in the industry.   

Acceptance Rate

57.94

Student to Faculty Ratio

23:1

Washington State University (Pullman, WA) is a public research university that extends its education across several campuses in Washington. The university also launched an Internet-based Global Campus allowing students across the globe to access WSU programs. WSU trains Viticulture & Enology students to be skilled professionals and industry professionals serving communities at home and around the world. Students are provided with foundational courses and required internships in vineyards and wineries. The program focuses on grape growing, winemaking, and the business of wine. Viticulture and Enology Certificates are also awarded at WSU. 

Acceptance Rate

75.8

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Linfield College-McMinnville Campus (McMinnville, OR) is a private university that offers undergraduate and graduate programs. Adult degree programs are offered at the Portland campus. The university offers a major and minor program in Wine Studies. The interdisciplinary program offers courses that teach students to understand and analyze the cultural, social and economic significance of wine. Students can pursue graduate studies or assume roles across wine and hospitality industries.  

Acceptance Rate

81.72

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY) is a public research university that was originally founded as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky. The university grants undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as professional programs. The university awards an undergraduate certificate in Distillation, Wine and Brewing Studies. The program is open to all students at the UK and to the members of the community who aim to gain additional knowledge but not a degree. DWBS Certificate Program is also offered online.

Acceptance Rate

95.85

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Arkansas Tech University (Russellville, AR) is a public university that grants undergraduate and graduate degrees in a range of fields. The Ozark campus focuses on providing associate and certificate education. The Department of Agriculture offers a range of academic majors for students to choose from. The Department awards Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Business. Students can choose a study concentration: animal science, feed mill management, horticulture, or public relations. The program offers multidisciplinary courses. Students will learn about agriculture, business, accounting, economics, and finance. 

Acceptance Rate

94.74

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Colorado Mesa University (Grand Junction, CO) is a public university that grants associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and master's degrees. The school adopts a liberal arts curriculum exposing students to a variety of learning. CMU aims to help students to develop important skills that can help them pursue graduate studies or assist them in finding employment. The school also offers technical certificates that can be completed in a shorter period. Viticulture and Enology major awards an Associate of Applied Science degree. The program develops the student’s entrepreneurial and technical skills. Graduates of the program are eligible to assume a variety of positions related to viticulture and winemaking businesses. Technical certificates are also awarded in Viticulture, Enology, and Wine Professional. 

Acceptance Rate

78.2

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

Northeast Iowa Community College (Calmar, IA) is a public community college that focuses on providing associate degrees. The college also offers vocational programs that allow transfer credits for students who are interested to pursue a four-year degree. NICC offers a variety of associate degree and diploma programs in Agriculture and Animal Science. Students can choose among interdisciplinary programs preparing them for entry-level roles across the industry. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

 Las Positas College (Livermore, CA) is a public community college that offers career-focused degree programs and allows transfer credits. The college has programs in computer science, business administration, psychology, chemistry, and the liberal arts. Viticulture and Winery Technology allows transfer credits and prepares students for careers in the wine industry. Students can choose between two tracks Viticulture and Enology. Both tracks award Associate of Science degrees. Students who do not opt to earn a degree can take the program leading to a Certificate of Achievement. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

25:1

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (Green Bay, WI) is a public technical college that extends its academic offerings across several locations in the state. NWTC grants an Associate degree in Winemaking. Students will learn about fermentation, clarification, and aging of juice and wine, as well as essential lab methodologies. Students also have the opportunity to take an internship at a local winery. This will develop practical skills and gain real world experience.

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Walla Walla Community College (Walla Walla, WA) is a multi-campus community college offering a range of academic programs. The college focuses on providing transfer programs and career training. The Institute for Enology and Viticulture offers programs that develop students’ knowledge and skills in winemaking. The institute provides hands-on experience to its students. It awards Associate degrees and several certificates. Students also learn about the sales and marketing aspect of the industry. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Indian Hills Community College (Ottumwa, IA) is a public community college that focuses on providing two-year programs to interested students. The college is popular for its Culinary Arts and Criminal Justice programs. The college has programs designed as transfer programs for students who aim to earn a baccalaureate degree.  

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Santa Rosa Junior College (Santa Rosa, CA) is a public community college that focuses on providing two-year programs. The college awards both Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees. SRJC has programs in Viticulture and Wine Studies. Both programs award an associate degree. A Certificate of Achievement can also be earned under the Wine Studies program. This is for students who do not aim to earn an academic degree. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

Highland Community College (Freeport, IL) is a public community college that grants associate degrees and certificates for non-degree students. The college offers a variety of majors and vocational programs. Viticulture certificate program is designed to address the needs of the winegrape growers across Kansas and Midwest. The program includes technological principles and production practices that are beneficial to the industry. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

21:1

Allan Hancock College (Santa Maria, CA) is a public community college that grants academic degrees and certificate programs. The Viticulture and Enology program awards an associate degree. Non-degree seekers can also earn certificates in viticulture, winemaking or wine business, including wine and food pairing. Courses under this program can use transfer credits to continue their education and earn a baccalaureate degree. Students can transfer to one of the following schools: University of California, Davis; California State University, Fresno; Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo; or Sonoma State.

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

22:1

Wenatchee Valley College (Wenatchee, WA) is a public community college that awards undergraduate degrees, and certificates. It also offers adult education. The college has a long list of programs to choose from across a variety of industries. The college awards an Associate of Technical Science Degree in Agriculture. Students can choose an area of study: General Agriculture, Horticulture/Tree Fruit Production, Sustainable and Organic Agriculture, and Agriculture Technology. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

MiraCosta College (Oceanside, CA) is a comprehensive community college that offers a wide range of academic programs. It has transfer programs for students who aim to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Students who are interested in Viticulture and Enology must complete a certificate of achievement and then earn an associate in science degree. Courses in wine production, wine sales, and viticulture areas are offered to students. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Finger Lakes Community College (Canandaigua, NY) is a public community college that offers two-year programs and transfer programs. It extends its education to campuses in Victor, Geneva, and Newark. The college offers a Viticulture and Wine Technology program and manages a Viticulture and Wine Center. The program provides students with science of winemaking with hands-on vineyard experiences.

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Cuyamaca College (El Cajon, CA) is a public community college that offers a range of two-year academic programs.  Interested students can transfer to University of California, San Diego or San Diego State University to pursue their bachelor’s degrees. The College offers Environmental and Applied Technology programs. Ornamental Horticulture is one of the career pathways offered. The pathway leads to either an associate degree or a certificate. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

25:1

Surry Community College (Dobson, NC) is a public community college that awards associate degrees, diplomas, or certificates. Programs are available either on-campus or online. The Viticulture degree  program awards either a degree or a certificate. Students are provided with rigorous classroom instructions as well as practical training. Graduates are prepared to assume roles across the grape growing and wine making industry. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Umpqua Community College (Roseburg, OR) is a public community college that offers a variety of programs. The campus houses different facilities that can help students to learn better. It has its vineyard fit for students who are interested in viticulture.  The Viticulture program is a one-year winemaking certificate program. It provides courses on grape growing, basic principles of soil science, vineyard practices, and includes a supervised practical work experience. However, Viticulture and Enology programs at UCC are currently under review for revision. The college is not accepting applicants yet. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

Best Winemaking Degree

There are a number of winemaking online degree tracks for today's student to consider within the viticulture and enology field of study. Programs will range from 1-2 years in length depending on the program and school requirements. As a growing niche program, winemaking has attracted a small cadre of colleges and universities that specialize in the science behind making wine.

The most common online winemaking programs offered by colleges and universities include viticulture certificates, enology certificates, self-directed winemaking programs. While these programs will vary from school to school, a sampling of classes for edification purposes include: wine making, wine production, wine stability, winemaking analysis, and viticulture.

Introductory Winemaking: The online introduction to winemaking class will teach students basics of the business. Upon completion of the course, a student will have a working understanding of a wide variety of topics associated with wine and winemaking. Topics covered will typically include the following 7 items:

  1. The history of wine
  2. Top regions around the world for wine and wine-growing
  3. Wine and health issues
  4. Winemaking fundamentals
  5. Analysis of a wine label
  6. Wine tasting basics
  7. Networking in the wine industry

Wine Production: A course in wine production is intended to provide students learning the business with an in-depth, technical understanding of what it takes to make wine. Many colleges will place an disproportionate emphasis on the fermentation process and pre-fermentation management as these early decisions affect the wine's style, alcohol content, and malolactic fermentation. A typical syllabus will include the following topics of interest:

  • The effect of grape composition and grape ripening on wine styles
  • Grape fermentation management and grape fermentation science
  • Must and grape processing
  • Malolactic fermentation management
  • Grape cellar operations
  • Wine stability management including clarity, aging, fining, blending, and filtration

Wine Stability: The stability of wine and sensory analysis is a technical section of the program necessary to product quality, consistent wines. Methods for testing the stability of wine include: protein stability, filtration, metal stability, bitartrate instability, fining agents, and hydrolytic enzymes. Class topics may include the following subjects:

  • Wine color stability and control
  • Sulfur compounds and mitigation
  • Microbial stability and wine bottling
  • Wine fining, filtration, and clarification
  • Sensory testing methodologies
  • Protein instability

Winemaking Analysis: This area of study emphasizes the quality control of wine with a keen eye towards wine analysis and wine microbiology. Students in these types of classes are exposed to the academics behind wine analysis and the practice of wine management. Issues in the winemaking analysis arena include wine aging, fermentation, conservation, bottling, juice parameters, legal concerns, and problem solving. The top 5 classes within wine analysis include:

  1. Data and analysis in winemaking
  2. Quality control analysis in winemaking
  3. Microbiological control management
  4. Lab design and lay-out optimization
  5. The value of microorganisms in winemaking

Viticulture: All good wine starts in the vineyard. As such, colleges spend a substantive part of the certificate program helping students understand the art of viticulture as it relates to quality wines and the winemaking process. Students will be exposed to the science behind environmental, biological, and managerial components changing the qualities of a grape. Classes will often take into account:

  • The quality of plant material
  • Grape infestations including pests, diseases, and viruses
  • Vine balance and nutritional elements
  • Soil and soil management
  • Vineyard management

How Long Will it Take to Earn a Winemaking Certificate?

A winemaking certificate programs offered by an accredited university or college in the United States will take one to two years to complete. The programs may be taken in class or online depending on the school's curriculum and the number of courses taken by the student at a given time.

There are also self-paced online winemaking programs that may be considered by students needing the ultimate flexibility with their schedule. Research top winemaking college programs today by researching the schools below.

What Can I Do with a Winemaking Certificate?

Students graduating from an accredited college program with a certificate in winemaking, viticulture, or enology find themselves working in a variety of positions. It should come as no surprise, the most common job function of a enologist or viticulturist is a winemaker. A sampling of other job functions is listed below:

  • Winemaker
  • Owner
  • Manager
  • Harvest Manager
  • Head Winemaker
  • Enologist
  • Lab Technician
  • Assistant Manager
  • Grower
  • Viticulturist

Educational Requirements for Viticulturists

In terms of educational requirements, Viticulture and Enology degree holders will have typically studied the following courses while in college:

Viticulture Employment & Specializations

For students that earn a college degree in Viticulture and Enology, there are several fields of specialization that one can pursue inside or outside the field. The options range from agriculture science, food science technician, anthropologist, atmospheric science, biochemistry, chemical technician, economist, chemist, environmental scientist, geoscientist, hydrologist, microbiologist, physicist, purchasing, budgeting, auditor, and agricultural economics in the public or private domain to name a few possible career tracks.

Winemaking Career Overview & Job Growth

The job growth in the greater Viticulture and Enology domain are steadily growing.  For example, the rate of job growth for agricultural engineering is expected to rise 4% through 2024 and for food scientist a 5% growth rate is expected during the same period.

Given the broad nature of the Viticulture and Enology degree, compensation after graduation can vary greatly from career field to career field given prior experience and geographic location.  Related fields include teaching, accounting, training, sales, managing, leading, directing, and producing.

Additional Resources for Vintners

For additional information about the viticulture industry, we have sources a few valuable regional and national associations.  The organizations listed below may be a resource for you to connect to other professionals, learn industry-specific information, and help to advance your career in winemaking.  Associations worth connecting with include: ASEV, SCVA, and the Wine Institute.

Featured Rankings

Find Your College Match

Sort By
PHP Code Snippets Powered By : XYZScripts.com